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Frank Hannigan

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Blog posts by Frank Hannigan

While there is so much to be thankful for, two things especially stand out. First, I am thankful to Cardinal George and for Archbishop Cupich. I am grateful for the support Cardinal George has given to marriage and family life these past 17 years. From supporting the new Marriage Ministry Guidelines promulgated in 2005, to giving the go-ahead to developing a first-of-its-kind online on demand marriage preparation program in 2010, to each year’s Golden Wedding Anniversary Mass, Cardinal George consistently supported our efforts and challenged us to do better.

Cardinal George, perfect weather, hundreds of smiling faces, top notch staff and volunteers, Holy Name Cathedral—put that all together and you get the 2014 Golden Wedding Anniversary Mass! Over 450 couples celebrating 50 years of marriage attended this year. They came from all parts of the Archdiocese; some arriving by limousine, some by bus, but most came in the family car. While some individuals were in wheelchairs or used walkers most appeared remarkably healthy and were very gracious in the receiving line waiting to greet the Cardinal after Mass, as they allowed those needing assistance to move to the front.

When I think about Father’s Day, I naturally think of my own father. I would imagine that’s true for most sons and daughters. If your father is or has been a big part of your life you have probably learned many lessons. In my case, I have learned to respect others, see the positive, give others the benefit of the doubt, know that you can overcome adversity to love and cherish your wife and the importance of faith. These, and countless other lessons over many years, have served me well. My sister, brothers and I are now learning what it means to age with grace and dignity as Dad is beginning to slow down in his late 80’s.

On September 22 I will have the honor of welcoming this year's golden Jubilarians to the annual Golden Wedding Anniversary Mass. The beautiful Mass will be held at Holy Name Cathedral with Cardinal George as the main celebrant.

The faster I run the further back I get. Do you ever feel that way? What I’m especially feeling that way about is trying to accept, understand, and integrate social media into the work of the Family Ministries Office.

When Cardinal George first became the Archbishop of Chicago he proclaimed November to be Family Month. It seemed very appropriate since there are so many events this month associated with families: starting with All Saints and All Souls Day (or the Day of the Dead if you are of Mexican heritage) at the beginning of the month culminating in Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday.

When my wife Marilyn and I celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary recently I realized that in fifteen years I would be attending our own Golden Wedding Anniversary Mass…fifteen years! How could that be possible? I always thought only older people were married that long!

Looks like marriage is on the minds of a lot of people. It’s always on our minds at the Family Ministries Office. We work hard to provide high quality Catholic marriage preparation, education, and support to our married couples.

Are you struggling for ideas for Valentine’s Day like I am? Since my wife Marilyn’s birthday is on Christmas, and somehow feels like an afterthought each year, I try to come up with something special for her each February 14. The volunteer from our Family Ministries Office, Jeane Quentin, has come up with some good ideas for making Valentine’s Day special:

Last month 360 couples had a special date night: they attended Celebrating Marriage: An Evening to Remember at the closing of the Festival of Faith. After the closing Mass for the FOF, and an inspirational talk, Cardinal George blessed all the married couples there, and we had dinner, saw a hysterical production of Til Death Do Us Part by the Funny Nun, who wrote Late Night Catechism, followed by a raffle and dancing. The night flew by. What a nice chance for couples to get away and enjoy a special evening together. We hope to do this again in the future. Our staff brought their husbands or wives (and the spouses were put to work, too, of course, since we are the Church!) and really enjoyed the event.

I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about marriage recently. Of course I always spend a lot of time thinking about marriage. Last month our office hosted the Golden Wedding Anniversary Mass and reception at St. John Brebeuf parish for 400 couples married 50 years.

Many of you will be attending weddings this summer and some of you may even be attending a PreCana to prepare for your wedding. The Family Ministries Office, which I direct, is in charge of Archdiocesan marriage preparation classes, both PreCanas and Discovery Weekend. We prepare about 5,000 couples a year for marriage.